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Friday, 10 December 2010

Teeth – Washington, Hippopotamus, Vered, Eastern Europe, Jannie

We forget at this time of feasting that we are so lucky to be living, in the Western world, ... we have teeth, they are looked after, we tend not to suffer with them, and if we need some falsies - that can be sorted too. Teeth – who would have thought that that one word would produce a connective thought process?

I had happened to hear a BBC World snippet about George Washington (1732 – 1799) – of well known fame, as much today as when he lived 250 years ago ... he had one tooth at the time he became President in1789, but for the sake of vanity endured a full set of “falsies” .. did you know that?

Farmer at the dentist, Johann Liss, c. 1616-17.

The portrait by Gilbert Stuart, used on the One Dollar Bill - I mentioned in a previous post about snuff– has Washington looking one way, while on the Bill he looks the other! But in that picture, I thought Washington’s mouth looked ‘a little strained’ ... which now I know was obviously correct: his sets of teeth causing great pain, for which he took laudanum.

Can you imagine having plates carved from hippopotamus and elephant ivory, into which real human teeth and bits of horses’ and donkeys’ teeth were inserted, then held together with gold springs? (None of them being made from wood as the lore seems to suggest).

George Washington by Gilbert Stuart, 1797

The French man Pierre Fauchard (1678 – 1761) has been recognised as the “father of modern dentistry”, so his early connections with the Navy and the rapid spread of knowledge through Europe and across into the American Colonies, may well have been instrumental in Washington being able to have a plate made with false teeth.

Dental needle-nose pliersdesigned by Fauchard in the late 17th century to use inprosthodontics.

Thinking about sets of false teeth, years ago when I worked for an organisation in London exporting capital plant and machinery to Eastern Europe – we had sold a few teeth lines into Russia! We just don’t think about these sorts of aspects of life – do we?

Then I was reading ‘The Week’ in the part titled .. “It Must Be True .. I read it in the tabloids” .. about a zoo in Shanghai investing in a four foot long toothbrush – guess what for? To clean its hippos’ teeth ... up to this major investment, they had been cleaned with a broom.

In the wild the hippos live mostly off grass and do not worry about oral hygiene, while at the zoo they are fed on fruit and vegetables, which can get clogged in their teeth. Seems strange thinking about oral hygiene in animals ... but of course that’s exactly what the animals do in their natural habitat.

Just slightly off the subject ... stalactites and stalacmites ... also need to be cleaned off .. as the mud from cavers, if left there, will corrode the growths – so to keep them in pristine condition .. they are brushed off, this time with dish brushes .. then they shine like underground stars!

Vered (to the right), who has a very appropriate web non-de-plume of “MomGrind” ,wrote this wonderful article about her daughter’s visit to the dentist – which had got her musing .. “How Lucky We Are” about our teeth and the facilities we have today.

So these amazing sets of co-incidences led me to post about teeth .. and as it’s that time of year ... when we use our gnashers for many delicious goodies ... spare a thought for others in less priveleged places and days gone by ... of ... I let your imagination take you along your chosen path ...

Dear Mr Postman .. I’m sure my mother will love this post – these are the sorts of things that would have amused her .. and I’d have been sent home to find out more about George Washington, his portrait and his teeth .. and she’d definitely have laughed at the hippo having its teeth cleaned! Today it is a mild day here .. further north Britain is still in the grips of winter, as are many in the Northern Hemisphere – the other London in Ontario has had a major dump or two .. we are due to another Arctic blast next week – ugh!

74 comments:

Hi Hilary - Yes, it's quite common knowledge that old Geo's teeth were not his own. Having endured orthodontics myself, and Pete and I having paid for five additional sets of braces, all at quite healthy pops, I can attest to the value. When my daughter played softball I lived in fear that her $5000 teeth were going be on the receiving end of an errant ball or bat. But we are fortunate to have access.

Nowadays, in my 50's, it seems as though heroic measures are taken to keep ourselves "longer in the tooth," but as my dentist informed me, the minute you turn to dentures, your jaw can start to deteriorate. Evidently, it's an intricate system. Who knew?

My dad always said he joined the Navy in WWII so he could get his teeth fixed. I'm sure they were affected by close to malnutrition in the Depression when he was a boy. But the Navy fixed him right up. They pulled every one, and fitted him with dentures at age 18. He used to pop them half out of his mouth at the dinner table when my mother wasn't looking. We'd laugh and get sent to our rooms without having to eat our lima beans. His little secret. :)

Hi Betsy .. gosh what a wonderful comment .. and you all knew his teeth weren't his own - oh well! Just the connotation of fixing him up with a plate .. amazed me. I have been lucky then .. no braces, no orthodontic work .. and reasonable teeth.

Interesting comment from your dentist .. yes I can believe that.

The Services did look after their men/women .. but I'm certain malnutrition during the Depression did not help at all. Poor chap - having dentures all his life .. except for the laughs he could pull! Brilliant ploy to let you all off eating your lima beans .. as long as you'd had a good meal til then?!

The advancement in this field has astounded me. Now most people don’t even require braces but use special retainers that are invisible Instead of a root canal you can have a tooth implant. And even simpler the fluoride treatment most of us had as kids to help prevent cavities. Yet, we still hear about our elders who are in pain from ill-fitting dentures.

Hilary -- I enjoyed this post, even though the idea of a dentist isn't a pleasant one for me. I've had my share of teeth issues:~0 "OPEN YOUR MOUTH WIDER" is a phrase I tend to dread as the bright light shines in my eyes.

On the other hand, I loved the part about the hippos and I must admit I am very pleased I do not when G. Washington did...yuck!!

As usual, you have delighted me with your smorgasbord of thoughts about teeth:~)

Happy a happy holiday, my friend. I hope both you and your mom will stay warm!!!

Hi Holly .. thanks - yes I think of when I used to go to the dentist as a kid & how much has changed in my life time .. ok not having kids - didn't know braces weren't so necessary now & could use special retainers!

Yes - our parents or grandparents may well have terrible times with their dentures .. or plates .. and we see them lying around in funny places occasionally!

Hi Kat .. me too .. just luck I guess - but I think if I was writing - my characters, especially my hero and perhaps my grinning messainic villain would both have big strong teeth - as yours do .. I'm sure you're not obsessed by teeth .. well I hope not?! Thanks for coming by and Have a good weekend .. Hilary

Hilary, you are a font of unusual information! I loved seeing the hippo getting its teeth brushed, and my first thought was, how did they get the hippo to keep its mouth so helpfully open? When I tried to brush my dogs' teeth, they would chew on the brush as if it were a chew toy. The info about Washington was new to me as well, though I knew the wooden teeth story. Fun!

I knew about George Washington and his false teeth. But the cherry tree tale is false.

Sadly, in the US, most people don't have dental so they lose their teeth needlessly, making it harder to get work because they can't afford false ones. They're also more likely to get heart disease from the plaque.

Such a "little" thing--teeth. And yet, how necessary they are both for eating and for "looks." Such interesting facts here about Geo. Washington's teeth! We ARE so fortunate today, expensive though dentistry can be, to have such good resources.

Thanks for stopping by my blog today. Hope you're having a good Sunday.

Fascinating how far we've come, from using horse and donkey teeth, to laser work. My dentist no longer drills before filling a cavity, the work is done with laser, and is painless! What would George have thought of that!

Hi Joanne .. thanks .. it is isn't it? I'm not sure I've had a tooth filled recently .. but I know my dentist's technical skills have completely changed in the 18 years I've been using him .. and as you say what will we all say in the future?!

I really enjoyed this look at teeth! Especially the hippo's toothbrush. There are so many routine things to be grateful for like teeth. Thanks for the gratitude reminder! Oh, and that reminds me - it's time for a cleaning too.

Hilary,This post was absolutely fascinating! When we visited Mount Vernon a couple of years ago, my middle son was captivated by Washington's false teeth. He didn't want to look at anything else - so funny! :-)

Hi Tony .. I know thank goodness for our dentists and looking after our teeth. It wasn't so long ago either! But me too .. glad I live in today's world .. thanks - good to see you .. enjoy the rest of the week. Hilary

Hi Steve .. many thanks - really grateful .. I've popped in .. had computer hassles and am now off back over to collect .. it's a great honour to have .. wonderful present for this season! Cheers to you and everyone .. Hilary

Hillary – This is delightful! I did know about George Washington but I didn’t know about hippos! That is wonderful. Teeth and the introduction of dental hygiene was likely life changing for so many – and the progress that has been made in the last half century is amazing. Part of the reason I love your site is not only the information but I am never sure what you are going to tell me about next!Stay warm!!

I know - you too .. it's a great honour to have the meat and potatoes award .. and being able to share with other great bloggers .. you, Clarissa, Arlee and Ellie .. fun! Have a good rest of the week .. Hilary

Hilary: Every time I read your posts I am reminded of how much fascinating information is out there. I am always so appreciative of all the research you do and information you share. I would have never known so much about teeth or George Washington's teeth ... very interesting.

Hi Sibyl .. lovely seeing you - you're right life is fun the way it interconnects and then provides me with the opportunity to do some 'lateral thinking' and produce unlikely amusing stories/ posts! Thanks - have a great build up to the festive season .. and enjoy - Hilary

As always another fine compendium. I'd always heard that George Washington had wooden teeth, but really that wouldn't make that much sense and the explanation you give is much more logical.I've been fortunate with my teeth so far-- a few caps, but so far no false teeth. I hate going to the dentist though.

I can't imagine, seriously how much pain one would be in with false teeth like George! Fun post, I like the way you tied it together. Bothered we change the Hippo's diet...why?! I love hearing about the stalactites, etc beautiful line, "then they shine like underground stars". They sure are beautiful~

It is funny how co-incidences aligned together like teeth to bring you to this post~ I loved it!

HI Ella .. thank you - I too think George's pain must have been unbearable! I'm sure the Hippo's diet is the best they can do in the circumstances - they're getting their greens! & in the wild they graze the grasses at night - they're herbivores: hence fruit and veg.

Oh good .. so pleased you liked my phrase .. they shine like underground stars - when describing the stalactites!

So pleased these little tie-ins occur .. and delighted to have your comment ..

Hilary, when my dear ol' mom was hospital bound after a stroke, I was dismayed that her teeth had been lost. There was no way she would have tolerated any dental attention - she wouldn't even let the staff come near her with a pair of scissors to cut her hair!

So, my mom spent the last 4 or 5 years eating food specially prepared for her. Thank goodness she was not focusing on presentation!

Hi Amy .. Mum's still got her teeth, though she can't eat or drink & is PEG fed and has now been bedridden for 3 years .. her mouth is sorted out .. and I take kitchen scissors to her hair .. it's pretty ramshackle - but at least it's cut .. which is my main challenge. Like your Mama .. my Ma doesn't look at herself anymore .. one doctor said she looked very attractive and he was right .. that day she did - serene and happy, with a pretty primrose coloured nightie on ..

It's good to exchange thoughts on our dear ol' ones .. with a hug or two and thoughts .. Hilary

Happy Holidays to you and yours Hilary ... I'll have to double back to read your post as the rains are flooding my yard with six inches of water. They should stop later today but we've had like a week straight of rain here.

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About Me

A lover of life – who after London, spent time in South Africa; an administrator, sports lover, who enjoys cooking and entertaining ... who through her mother’s illness found a new passion – writing, in particular blogging; which provides an opportunity for future exploration, by the daughter, who has (in her 3rd age years) found a love of historical education. Curiosity didn’t kill this cat – interaction is the key! Now moved to Vancouver Island, Canada for 'a while' - not forever ...